Club Homepage Forums Classified Ads Buy & Sell - Everything But Airplanes Drivers License Medical-150 value spike???

Well, call me an optimistic fool, but I actually think this one has a chance of making it through. I won't be surprised if it does get rejected by the FAA, though.

From what I have read, previously, the AOPA and EAA have submitted NPRMs for this sort of thing. Those are rule changes, and we all know how much the FAA loves rules. It is very difficult to get them to rescind an existing rule. I think I read somewhere that the AOPA and EAA has submitted this particular rule change about 30 times between the two of them. Obviously, that approach wasn't working.

This time around they have changed their strategy based on success in other areas of working with the FAA. First, they are working together. That gives "our" side more people and resources to help push this through.

Second, and I believe most importantly, instead of asking for a rule change, the EAA and AOPA are asking for a rule "exception." This leaves all the existing rules in place as they are, which as we know, the FAA likes.

Finally, they are being much more strategic about this effort this time. They have figured out who all the various gatekeepers are in the FAA. These are the people that can say, "No," and stop the whole process. In their proposal, they are trying to "give" something to each of those people. That is why they are proposing some "training" for those who want to fly with only a drivers license medical. Someone if the FAA has told them that pilots don't know how to self certify, and that is the AOPA/EAA response to that person's concerns.

I also think that is why they "pre-announced" this effort. To give people at the FAA a "heads-up" that this is coming, so any concerns can be addressed before the proposal is submitted. I know several people at EAA/AOPA have been meeting with the FAA both before and after the announcement. From reading the AOPA forum, I have learned that Dr. Chein (who several on this forum are acquainted with) has been personally meeting with the Aeromedical group at the FAA about this proposal. From what I gather, this seems like a real and concerted effort to try and make this happen.

I also believe that the requirements (one passenger, 180 HP, fixed gear, etc.) are ones they have been identified that there is at least some comfort level at the FAA with. I read a lot of complaints on the interweb about the need for a wider range of airplanes, but I think that is part of the strategy, too. If this basic level of airplanes is allowed the exemption, then over time, you slowly increase the requirements of the exemption. Finally, once you have the majority of planes and pilots under the exemption, plus years of experience without any major problems, you then submit an NPRM and have the rules changed. This is definitely a long-term strategy here.

The LSA manufacturers may not like it, or they may. Companies like Cessna and Piper also would like to see this rule change, as it may mean more sales for them. If we are "following the money," then I would bet there is more money at Cessna and Piper than there is at CTLS or Remos, for example.

So, I'm optimistic, but it might not make it through. As far as the value of our planes go, I don't think it will make much of a difference. There are a lot of planes available under 180 HP that can hold one passenger.

I am optimistic, too, but then every year I thinkI am going to win an airplane.

Because there are so many four seat, fixed gear < 180 hp planes, the spike in value will be a general one, but I think it will be significant. I also think it will be the death knell for the LSA. It is possible, though, that Cessna and Piper will be the ones who oppose the change, as the market will again be soft for building small planes and they will still be on the hook to maintain the old ones.

Regardless...I'll bet y'all a dollar to a doughnut the day AFTER I sell my beloved 150 some new rule will be announced that will increase the value 50%...kind-a-like my experience with the stock market...buy high-sell low...good discussion though!

This was how tandem-skydiving was introduced. For about 20 years tandem equipment was "experimental" and the jumps were conducted under a special exception to the FARs. Then, by the early 2000s, the FAA codified the status-quo with a change to the rules.

...and I promise I'm really gonna try to get it right this time.

There may be one other significant difference here that we are overlooking.

As I have read and listened to the AOPA & EAA videos, you still will not be able to fly an airplane exceeding 1320 lbs (( and all the other LSA requirements )) with just a Sport Pilot license.

To fly the aircraft envisioned in by AOPA and EAA you will need at least a Private Pilots license - the only change is for the medical.

This will probably protect the LSA manufactures to some extent.
Certainly the cost for getting the Private is about twice what the Sport Pilot license costs.

As I read it - to fly the 150 with a Sport Pilots license will not be legal because the airplane does not "fit" into that category.

I hope their efforts are successful. I have even written my Senator and asked him to develop legislation to do away with the third class medical in favor of the driver's license medical. Surely he could slip a "rider" on an existing bill and get it thru Congress.

Still holding my breath.

Rodney

That's my take on it too, Rodney.
The Light Sport Category and Light Sport License was intended to
make it more affordable to get into aviation. It wasn't meant to be a
fall back when someone feels they can't pass a Third Class Medical.

I have a PPL, but dropped getting the medical. The FAA has no way of knowing if I'm dead, alive, or alive but no longer flying. I get nothing from them and send nothing to them.

But with this new proposal in which I must log onto the Internet and take a medical self-check course, they can assume that if I take the course, I must still be flying.

That's an advantage for them because they can count me in the "active" pilot column during their bean counting.

Oh, and even if the exception is not granted, I'll bet they like that idea so much they'll add it to the LS pilot requirement.

I will go out on a limb and say the vast majority of pilots flying in LSA are those who have a private certificate and are/were in fear of losing their medical...I have yet to run into a certificated "sport pilot"...but I don't get out that much...

What happens when you land at an airport and out comes some dude from the FAA wanting to do a ramp check??

Rodney